The geomagnetic field was at quiet to major storm levels on November 5. A disturbance was observed arriving at ACE around 15h UT and gradually intensified. Due to the slowly increasing solar wind speed, density and temperature, the most likely source is a CIR associated with CH1328. Solar wind speed at SOHO ranged between 379 and 456 km/sec, averaging 413 km/sec (-11 km/sec compared to the previous day). The high latitude magnetometer at Andenes recorded quiet to severe storm levels. The above 10 MeV proton flux was slightly above background levels all day.
Solar flux density measured at 20h UT on 2.8 GHz was 147.5 - increasing 25.9 over the previous solar rotation.
The 365 day average solar flux at 1 AU was 160.45 (183 days ago). The 81 day average solar flux at 1 AU was 150.5 (41 days ago, this is 51.5% of the total SC25 solar flux range from the max 81 day average peak on September 4, 2024 at 227.3 and an average 81 day flux of 69 at solar minimum). SC25 365d peak: 195.9 on October 13, 2024.
The Potsdam WDC planetary A index was 24 (STAR Ap - based on the average of three hour interval ap indices: 24.4). Three hour interval K indices: 43422246 (planetary), 32532335 (Boulder), 54424467 (Andenes).
The background x-ray flux is at the class C1 level (GOES 19).
At the time of counting spots (see image time), spots were observed in 9 active regions using 2K resolution (SN: 210) and in 8 active regions using 1K resolution (SN: 147) SDO/HMI images.
AR 14272 [N21E24] was quiet and stable.
AR 14273 [S13W11] decayed further and was mostly quiet.
AR 14274 [N24E42] gained spots, area and is still a compact spot group although some
separation between the major penumbrae is currently evident. The trailing
penumbra has an unusually strong
magnetic delta configuration. Further major flares are likely. C1 flares:
C1.8 @ 08:55, C1.4 @ 20:57, C1.4 @ 21:13 UT
AR 14275 [N07E45] developed slowly and produced a few flares.
Spotted regions not observed (or interpreted
differently) by SWPC/USAF:
New AR S11581 [S16E79] rotated into view and initially appears to
have poor separation between opposite polarity spots in the leading spot
section. Although the region produced several C flares, it is uncertain if
it is still
capable of producing large flares. C1 flares: C1.8 @ 06:37, C1.8 @ 06:58,
C1.8 @ 16:48, C1.5 @ 20:27 UT
New AR S11582 [N11E72] rotated into view with a few spots.
New AR S11583 [S07E77] rotated into view with a tiny spot.
New AR S11584 [S28E19] emerged with tiny spots.
New AR S11585 [S30W15] emerged with tiny spots.
C2+ flares
| Magnitude | Peak time (UT) | Location | Source | Recorded by | Comment |
| C4.0 | 00:30 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C3.8 | 00:46 | 14273 | GOES18 | ||
| C4.3 | 00:58 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C3.1 | 01:20 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C6.2 | 01:55 | N24E52 | 14274 | GOES18 | |
| C4.6 | 02:54 | S11582 | GOES18 | ||
| C8.0 | 03:01 | N24E53 | 14274 | GOES18 | |
| C2.1 | 04:04 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C9.9 | 05:05 | N24E51 | 14274 | GOES18 | |
| C3.6 | 05:17 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.9 | 05:51 | N27E50 | 14274 | GOES18 | |
| C2.1 | 06:44 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.0 | 07:18 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C3.8 | 07:35 | N25E48 | 14274 | GOES18 | |
| C4.9/1F | 07:48 | N25E48 | 14274 | GOES18 | |
| C2.0 | 09:20 | 14275 | GOES18 | ||
| C3.2 | 09:30 | N05E57 | 14275 | GOES18 | |
| C2.4 | 09:51 | 14275 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.4 | 09:59 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C3.0 | 10:27 | S10W07 | 14273 | GOES18 | |
| M7.4/2N | 11:19 | N22E51 | 14274 | GOES18 | LDE, CME |
| M1.3 | 12:26 | S11581 | GOES18 | ||
| C5.1 | 13:23 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C8.1/1F | 14:30 | 14275 | GOES18 | ||
| C4.9 | 14:42 | S11581 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.3 | 15:51 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.6 | 16:11 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.7 | 17:16 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.3 | 17:55 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.5 | 18:00 | S11581 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.7 | 18:14 | 14274 | GOES18 | ||
| C2.2 | 18:40 | S11581 | GOES18 | ||
| M8.6 | 22:07 | N28E40 | 14274 | GOES18 | CME, strong type II radio sweep |
| C2.3 | 23:31 | 14274 | GOES18 |
November 3: An asymmetric full halo CME was observed after the major
M5.0 flare in AR 14274. While the main components of the ejecta are not
headed towards Earth, some effects are likely on November 6 (maybe as early
as late on November 5).
November 4: An asymmetric full halo CME (most easily seen in
GOES-19/CCOR-1 imagery) was observed after the major
X1.8 flare in AR 14274. The main part of the ejecta is not headed
towards Earth, however, shock effects are possible on November 6-7.
November 5: Full halo CMEs were observed after both the M7 (11:19 UT)
and M8 (22:07 UT) major flares in AR 14274. The first of those could arrive
late on November 6 and cause minor to severe geomagnetic storm levels.
[Coronal
hole history (since October 2002)]
[Compare today's report to the situation one solar rotation ago:
28 days ago
27 days ago
26 days ago]
A recurrent negative polarity trans equatorial coronal hole (CH1328) will rotate across the central meridian on November 3-6.
The geomagnetic field is expected to be at minor to severe storm levels on November 6-8 due to effects from CH1328 and multiple CMEs.
| Coronal holes (1) | Coronal mass ejections (2) | M and X class flares (3) |
1) Effects from a coronal hole could
reach Earth within the next 5 days. When the high speed stream has arrived
the color changes to green.
2) Effects from a CME are likely to be observed at Earth within 96 hours.
3) There is a possibility of either M or X class flares within the next 48 hours.
Green: 0-30% probability, Yellow: 30-70% probability, Red: 70-100% probability.
(Click on image for 2K resolution).
4K resolution.
Compare to the previous day's image. 0.5K image
When available the active region map has a coronal hole polarity overlay where red (pink) is negative and blue is positive.
Data for all officially numbered solar regions according to the Solar Region Summary provided by NOAA/SWPC, all other regions are numbered sequentially as they emerge using the STAR spot number. Comments are my own, as is the STAR spot count (spots observed at or inside a few hours before midnight) and data for regions not numbered by SWPC or where SWPC has observed no spots. SWPC active region numbers in the table below and in the active region map above are the historic SWPC/USAF numbers. SWPC data considered to be not sufficiently precise (location, area, classification) are colored red.
| Active region | SWPC date numbered STAR detected |
Spot count | Location at midnight | Area | Classification | SDO / HMI 4K continuum image with magnetic polarity overlays |
Comment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWPC/ USAF |
STAR | SWPC | STAR | Current | Previous | ||||||
| 2K | 1K | ||||||||||
| S11555 | 2025.10.25 | N12W57 | |||||||||
| S11563 | 2025.10.27 | S02W52 | |||||||||
| 14271 | 2025.10.28 2025.10.30 |
S09W30 |
was AR S11567 location: S09W22 |
||||||||
| S11573 | 2025.10.30 | S10W48 |
 |
||||||||
| 14272 | 2025.11.01 2025.11.01 |
2 | 8 | 3 | N22E23 | 0060 | HSX | CSO |
 |
 |
was AR S11574 area: 0110 location: N21E24 |
| 14274 | 2025.11.02 2025.11.03 |
20 | 57 | 36 | N24E40 | 0420 | EKC | EKC |
 |
 |
was AR S11575 beta-gamma-delta area: 1160 location: N24E42 |
| 14273 | 2025.11.02 2025.11.02 |
6 | 17 | 8 | S12W15 | 0050 | DSO | DAO |
 |
 |
was AR S11576 area: 0090 location: S13W11 |
| 14275 | 2025.11.02 2025.11.03 |
8 | 16 | 8 | N06E47 | 0200 | DAI | DAI |
 |
 |
beta-gamma was AR S11577 location: N07E45 area: 0250 |
| S11578 | 2025.11.03 | S02W17 | |||||||||
| S11580 | 2025.11.04 | N28W36 |
 |
||||||||
| S11581 | 2025.11.05 | 13 | 7 | S16E79 | 0180 | DAC |
 |
beta-gamma | |||
| S11582 | 2025.11.05 | 4 | 2 | N11E72 | 0020 | CRO |
 |
||||
| S11583 | 2025.11.05 | 1 | S07E77 | 0001 | AXX |
 |
|||||
| S11584 | 2025.11.05 | 2 | 2 | S28E19 | 0005 | BXO |
 |
||||
| S11585 | 2025.11.05 | 2 | 1 | S30W15 | 0005 | BXO |
 |
||||
| Total spot count: | 36 | 120 | 67 | ||||||||
| Sunspot number: | 76 | 210 | 147 | (total spot count + 10 * number of spotted regions) | |||||||
| Weighted SN: | 61 | 153 | 100 | (Sum of total spot count + classification weighting for each AR. Classification weighting: X=0, R=3, A/S=5, H/K=10) | |||||||
| Relative sunspot number (Wolf number): | 84 | 116 | 118 | ||||||||
| Month | Average solar flux | International sunspot number (WDC-SILSO) |
Smoothed sunspot number (4) | Average
ap (3) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measured | 1 AU | ||||
| 2024.05 | 187.7 | 191.9 | 172.1 | 149.1 (+4.6) | 23.56 (SC25 peak) |
| 2024.06 | 184.3 | 190.2 | 164.1 | 152.8 (+3.7) | 10.24 |
| 2024.07 | 196.6 | 203.0 | 196.8 | 155.0 (+2.3) | 7.13 |
| 2024.08 | 246.1 (cycle peak) |
252.2 | 216.0 (SC25 peak) | 156.8 (+1.8) | 15.96 |
| 2024.09 | 195.7 | 197.8 | 141.1 | 159.4 (+1.6) | 15.36 |
| 2024.10 | 221.0 | 219.6 | 165.8 | 160.9 (+1.5) (SC25 solar max) | 18.99 |
| 2024.11 | 199.6 | 195.3 | 154.1 | 157.2 (-3.7) | 9.33 |
| 2024.12 | 197.3 | 191.2 | 154.6 | 151.2 (-6.0) | 8.42 |
| 2025.01 | 190.3 | 184.2 | 137.0 | 146.2 (-5.0) | 13.17 |
| 2025.02 | 184.2 | 179.7 | 155.7 | 139.8 (-6.4) | 14.42 |
| 2025.03 | 163.7 | 162.1 | 134.2 | 135.9 (-3.9) | 15.96 |
| 2025.04 | 162.5 | 163.6 | 141.4 | 133.3 (-2.6) | 17.62 |
| 2025.05 | 135.3 | 138.3 | 78.5 | (128.5 projected, -4.8) | 17.26 |
| 2025.06 | 131.3 | 135.4 | 114.6 | (123.8 projected, -4.7) | 21.43 |
| 2025.07 | 137.8 | 142.3 | 125.6 | (120.6 projected, -3.2) | 11.80 |
| 2025.08 | 154.9 | 158.7 | 133.5 | (117.0 projected, -3.6) | 9.97 |
| 2025.09 | 154.4 | 156.0 | 129.8 | (113.1 projected, -3.9) | 14.1 |
| 2025.10 | 139.5 | 138.6 | 114.6 | (109.1 projected, -4.0) | 15.9 |
| 2025.11 | 134.1 (1) | 10.7 (2A) / 64.2 (2B) / 119.3 (2C) | (106.8 projected, -2.3) | (16.4) | |
| 2025.12 | (105.3 projected, -1.5) | ||||
| 2026.01 | (101.2 projected, -4.1) | ||||
| 2026.02 | (97.1 projected, -4.1) | ||||
| 2026.03 | (92.8 projected, -4.3) | ||||
| 2026.04 | (89.0 projected, -3.8) | ||||
1) Running average based on the daily 20:00 UTC observed solar flux value
at 2800 MHz and any corrections applied to that measurement.
2A) Current impact on the monthly sunspot number based on the Boulder
(NOAA/SWPC) sunspot number (accumulated daily sunspots / month days).
2B) Boulder SN current month average to date.
2C) STAR SDO 1K Wolf number 27 day average.
3) Running average based on the quicklook and definitive Potsdam WDC ap
indices. Values in red
are based on the definitive international
GFZ Potsdam WDC ap
indices.
4) Source: WDC-SILSO, Royal Observatory
Of Belgium, Brussels
Sunspot activity was on a decreasing trend from September
2024 until mid August 2025 (using the average solar flux over 3 solar rotations as a proxy).
Then a strong surge in activity saw solar flux peak in late August 2025 just
below the largest peaks seen in 2024. A slow decrease in activity from the
August level has been observed in September and October 2025.
All 365 day smoothed sunspot numbers reached a maximum on October 11-12, 2024.
This became the peak of SC25 (365 day smoothed peaks: STAR 1K: 236.1, STAR 2K: 364.3, NOAA SN: 156.0, ISN: 163.9),
while the 365d
smoothed solar flux peaked on October 13, 2024, just 1.7% below the SC23
peak, and 62.6% above the SC24 peak.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This report has been prepared by Jan Alvestad. It is based on the analysis of data from whichever sources are available at the time the report is prepared. All time references are to Universal Time. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.
SDO images are courtesy of NASA/SDO and the AIA, EVE, and HMI science teams.
